Dutchman ends 95,000km EV world journey

“I made it!”

So says Wiebe Wakker of his 1119-day trip from the Netherlands to Australia, finishing at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens on April 7.

“Driving with an electric car from Amsterdam to Sydney! Finished just now at the @RBGSydney and wow so proud!” he tweeted.

“With my trip I wanted to prove the viability of EVs but the thing I would remember the most is the kindness I received from people all over the world! Wow!”

Wakker left Amsterdam on March 15, 2016 in his converted Volkswagen station wagon ‘Blue Bandit’, relying on thousands of people from 45 countries signing up to his Plug Me In project offering support – including money, meals, sleeping accommodation and even power for his EV.

The project aim was to “educate, inspire and accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon future”.

Wakker has taken time out to go bush in the Blue Mountains outside of Sydney for about a fortnight to recharge his own batteries.

Arriving in Darwin in June 2018, Wakker spent nearly 50 days travelling to Perth, crossing the Nullarbor Plain and visiting other Australian cities, with a highlight including a trip to Uluru (Ayres Rock).

He intends writing a book about his travels when he returns home.